CF Montreal hope to debut confident Alexis Sanchez vs. Crew

Aug 15, 2026; Montreal, Province of Quebec, CAN; CF Montreal forward Alexis Sanchez (10) is introduced to the crowd at halftime during the game against D.C. United at Saputo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images Gaining momentum and ground in the Eastern Conference playoff chase will be the goal when CF Montreal and the Columbus Crew collide Wednesday in Ohio. Montreal (4-10-5, 17 points) is in more dire need, sitting 14th and trailing D.C. United by seven points for the final postseason berth. But the club hopes to get a boost from the potential debut of designated player Alexis Sanchez. The 37-year-old forward owns Chile's all-time records for goals (51) and appearances (168) and most recently played for Sevilla FC in Spain's La Liga before signing as a free agent on Aug. 11. Sanchez said Tuesday he doesn't need to answer critics that he is past his prime. "I trust in my ability as a player. I was born playing football. I grew up playing football. It's a talent God gave me and I find it easy to do." He could help a team that has three losses and five ties in the past eight matches and has scored only three goals in the past five, including a 1-1 draw with D.C. United in its last match on Saturday. The Crew (5-9-5, 20 points) added firepower of their own with the first appearance of forward Josef Martinez, the MLS active goals leader with 130 in 215 matches. He came off the bench in a 3-1 loss at Charlotte FC on Saturday after signing on Aug. 13. Defender Brooks Lennon, another recent Crew signee, was an Atlanta United teammate of his from 2020-22. "We have a really strong connection on the field and as well off the field," Lennon said. "He's a great guy and I've been in the league for a while, but I continue to learn from a guy like that, with all the success that he's had." The Crew are 11th in the conference and face a grueling schedule after reaching the quarterfinals of the Leagues Cup and the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup. There is the possibility they will play twice a week through Sept. 19. As such, interim coach Laurent Courtois -- who coached Montreal in 2024 and five matches into the following season before being fired -- will heavily rotate the lineup on Wednesday. Columbus is 4-0-3 in its last seven matches vs. Montreal and has not lost since the 2022 season. --Field Level Media